You know that wonderful feeling when you step into somewhere completely new and, almost instantly, there’s this sense of comfort, warmth, and belonging—when you just know that this is absolutely your kind of place? That’s exactly the experience we had the moment we arrived at the Fleur de Lys in Lowsonford, a charming riverside pub tucked just outside Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire, where the atmosphere, setting, and welcome made it clear from the start that we had discovered somewhere truly special.

Every table feels like the best seat in the house

Fleur de Lys is full of character. Lots of little rooms and cosy corners, soft seating mixed with booths, fabulous wooden furniture, and fireplaces everywhere you look – it’s one of those places where every table feels like the best seat in the house. Step outside and you’ll find a huge garden, riverside seating, and a playground for kids, making it a perfect spot for families, groups of friends, or a lazy afternoon soaking up the views.

∙ BOOK YOUR TABLE AT FLEUR DE LYS HERE ∙

Set in a fantastic location between lock 30 and 31 and bridge 40 and 41 of the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal, Fleur de Lys is a beautiful riverside pub that couldn’t be better placed. Take a wander along the towpath, head north to Kingswood Junction or south through Preston Bagot, and whichever way you go you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking Warwickshire countryside views.

Hearty, plentiful, perfect

The menu is a proper pub menu in the very best sense: hearty, plentiful, and exactly what you’d hope for from a traditional English pub. And at the very heart of it are the famous Lowsonford Pies – so good they’re worth travelling for. These pies have built a reputation far and wide, and once you try them, you’ll understand why.

All kinds of right

We started with cauliflower fritters with sweet chilli sauce. As vegans and vegetarians, we’ve tried countless cauliflower starters over the years, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: They’re not easy to get right, and when they’re wrong, they’re sooo wrong. But the ones served to us at Fleur de Lys were all kinds of right! Perfectly cooked, light, flovarousome, and clearly made with real care for the produce. A simple dish, elevated to something special.

Sensational pies

For mains, there was no doubt, we had to go for the pies. We chose the Wild Mushroom & Asparagus Pie (and it was wildly delicious, with golden crusty pastry and a rich, earthy veggie filling) and the Vegan Balti Pie. Yes, you read that right… and it was a revelation! This pie takes the very best of a Balti curry and combines it with the very best of a pie. What could have been a step too far on the unusual scale, turned out to be sensational: bold, delicious, comforting, and wrapped in the perfect pie pastry. These are award-winning pies for a reason, and we’d go back just for them alone.

Moist, caramelly, indulgent

Of course, we couldn’t leave without pudding, and the Vegan Salted Caramel Cake with vanilla ice cream was calling my name! This was a showstopper finale to a fantastic meal; moist, caramelly, indulgent, but not overly sweet – the balance was spot on and easily one of the best desserts we’ve ever had.

∙ BOOK YOUR TABLE AT FLEUR DE LYS HERE ∙

Instant favourite

From the warm, friendly service and the cosy atmosphere to the stunning setting and the exceptional food, the Fleur de Lys made an impression from the very first moment we arrived. And it’s safe to say, this was most certainly not our last visit. Within minutes of arriving, we knew this would become one of our go-to places for hearty meals with friends and family, and when summer rolls around, you’ll find us right there by the riverside, enjoying good food, old drinks, and that unbeatable Fleur de Lys atmosphere.

Oh, those pies

The Lowsonford Pies are the shining stars of the Fleur de Lys menu – so much so that they’ve become a culinary destination in their own right. These are not just pies; they’re a piece of Warwickshire food heritage, crafted with a dedication to flavour, texture, and heartiness that has made them famous far beyond the village of Lowsonford.

Each pie is generously filled and encased in perfectly golden, flaky pastry, the kind that shatters satisfyingly with every forkful while holding its shape around the rich, flavour-packed fillings. The reputation of these pies is well earned, and they’re more than worth travelling for – whether you’re a local or making the trip from further afield, a visit to the Fleur de Lys simply isn’t complete without tucking into one of their legendary Lowsonford Pies.